General MFC discussion

[schmuttt]

I don't even rate De Goey that highly either, I think that was a poor selection.

I might be in the minority but we've got a better midfield than the Pies do and that gap will continue to widen in 2017.

 

[PerfectFooty]

The pies are soft. Only player that's not soft is Adams and he's a flog

 

[Tempy Tiger]

The pies are soft. Only player that's not soft is Adams and he's a flog

Treloar isn't soft. He's as hard as Viney in my opinion. But I'm not sold on their midfield being rated as fourth. And Freo was rated way too high.

 

[Demon 16]

They've marked our forward line pretty hard, but with Weideman a few years away and a lack of defensive small forwards, I can't strongly disagree.

Jack Watts probably not getting enough credit.

They've acknowledged our youth at least.

 

[schmuttt]

They've marked our forward line pretty hard, but with Weideman a few years away and a lack of defensive small forwards, I can't strongly disagree.

Jack Watts probably not getting enough credit.

They've acknowledged our youth at least.

I don't have an issue with our ranking but Geelong too high, North too low and Fremantle too high.

 

[TheCount]

I don't have an issue with our ranking but Geelong too high, North too low and Fremantle too high.

Freo that high is an absolute joke. Their forward line has been a blackhole with a flickering Pav shaped light slowly dying off in the middle of it for two years, but suddenly they bring in a kid who has played half a good season two years ago and it's improved to above a team that scored almost 400 more points the season before? Spare me! McCarthy might be good for 65-70 goals next season, but I highly doubt it

 

[Demon 16]

I don't have an issue with our ranking but Geelong too high, North too low and Fremantle too high.

They included Selwood and Bennell in Geelong and Freos mids and forwards.

I don't think North are too low though - they are junk in the forward line.

 

[Klyntonius]

For interests sake, this is what I make the average points-per-game ranking from 2016 to be (inc finals):

1 Adelaide 112.75
2 GWS 106.42
3 Geelong 99.17
4 Sydney 98.38
5 WC 97.09
6 Hawthorn 95.88
7 PA 93.41
8 StKilda 88.77
9 North 88.48
10 Melbourne 88.36
11 Collingwood 86.82
12 WB 86.19
13 GC 80.82
14 Brisbane 80.45
15 Richmond 77.86
16 Fremantle 71.55
17 Carlton 71.27
18 Essendon 65.32

So I could see us being slightly undervalued, probably Collingwood too if they had Elliot and Fasolo back and fit all season and I think Freo are grossly overrated. Otherwise, most of the rest is quite feasible.

 

[Pedantic]

Saw this on the news tonight. Max looks set for a big year especially with the new ruck rule.

 

[LeverPuller]

Saw this on the news tonight. Max looks set for a big year especially with the new ruck rule.

Max is super keen by the sounds of it. Goldy back at his best means we might have a real duel for the #1 AA.

I hope we get Goldy v Gawn - The Happening twice this year. It was unbelievable how good that match was between the two. One of the genuinely greatest ruck duels I have ever seen.

 

[PerfectFooty]

Good dedication from all 3. Gawn's still a funny guy, but he's pretty dead serious these days about achieving his own and team goals

 

[R_Grunter]

After reveling in the excitement of a seemingly positive trade period the veil of negativity is starting to descend and I'm really wondering if the Dees are up to the task of making the 8.

I can't see anyone but the Roos dropping out of the 8 from last year.

Saints will be big and if Freo get it together they are top 4 potential again. McCarthy, Fyfe, Bennell?? will make things very interesting.

Port, Bombers and Suns are very hard to predict with one of these teams likely exceeding expectations.

I think with this in mind 9 or 10 is probably the reality, hope I'm proven wrong.

 

[Proper Gander]

After reveling in the excitement of a seemingly positive trade period the veil of negativity is starting to descend and I'm really wondering if the Dees are up to the task of making the 8.

I can't see anyone but the Roos dropping out of the 8 from last year.

Saints will be big and if Freo get it together they are top 4 potential again. McCarthy, Fyfe, Bennell?? will make things very interesting.

Port, Bombers and Suns are very hard to predict with one of these teams likely exceeding expectations.

I think with this in mind 9 or 10 is probably the reality, hope I'm proven wrong.

9 or 10 still okay IMO - given the profile of the team and scope for further improvement. Its just media plus bigfooty crapping on about the 'dees to make the 8' stuff, I'm not planning on doing myself in if it doesn't transpire in 2017.

God I would love to get a win against the Saints though. I'm so sick of that streak and for some reason that team seriously gets up my nose. Its not even rational anymore.

 

[R_Grunter]

9 or 10 still okay IMO - given the profile of the team and scope for further improvement. Its just media plus bigfooty crapping on about the 'dees to make the 8' stuff, I'm not planning on doing myself in if it doesn't transpire in 2017.

God I would love to get a win against the Saints though. I'm so sick of that streak and for some reason that team seriously gets up my nose. Its not even rational anymore.

Yeah couldn't agree more.
There is genuine hope around but it is a long process. There is no disappointment in a 9th or 10th finish for me.
One more season in the young bones with the optimism that 2018 brings is all good. Have the players work out Goody's range and work hard on breaking some of the hoodoos that have hung around our necks for so long.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

We had been so good lately

What fun would AEST midnight posting be if you and I weren't having a go at each other?

 

[schmuttt]

Yeah couldn't agree more.
There is genuine hope around but it is a long process. There is no disappointment in a 9th or 10th finish for me.
One more season in the young bones with the optimism that 2018 brings is all good. Have the players work out Goody's range and work hard on breaking some of the hoodoos that have hung around our necks for so long.

Respectfully disagree. We have been rubbish for so long and have a very strong young list now, plenty of teams around our age have made finals. I'm not saying if we don't make finals in 2017 the club is stuffed, but it'd be extremely disappointing to miss ESPECIALLY with the draw we got.

 

[R_Grunter]

Respectfully disagree. We have been rubbish for so long and have a very strong young list now, plenty of teams around our age have made finals. I'm not saying if we don't make finals in 2017 the club is stuffed, but it'd be extremely disappointing to miss ESPECIALLY with the draw we got.

That sentiment is fine but realistically which team misses out in order for Melbourne to make the 8.

 

[The Dr]

That sentiment is fine but realistically which team misses out in order for Melbourne to make the 8.

I can see the Eagles, Crows and/or Hawks (esp if Jaeger can't get on the park) dropping out of the 8.

 

[R_Grunter]

I can see the Eagles, Crows and/or Hawks (esp if Jaeger can't get on the park) dropping out of the 8.

Is that based on anything or just a wild stab?

What would make you think that the Crows or WC would do worse than last season?
Hawthorn has undergone some obvious change but I think this is part of some wishful thinking as they still have an incredible side and also Rough returning.

 

[Praetorian]

On the pies midfield, defensively they would have to be one of the worst in the comp. they look ok with the ball but they are complete arse the other way, hence the ball cutting through their terrible back 6 so easily

Is that based on anything or just a wild stab?

What would make you think that the Crows or WC would do worse than last season?
Hawthorn has undergone some obvious change but I think this is part of some wishful thinking as they still have an incredible side and also Rough returning.

WC missing NicNat for a good portion of the season, they are a different team without him. Their midfield is not deep, I think they will struggle a bit
Crows will be fine
Hawks will miss Mitchell bigtime, Jaeger can't be counted on and I'm not sure if Tom Mitchell is a number 1 midfielder. Their forwardline could keep them thereabouts though

 

[R_Grunter]

On the pies midfield, defensively they would have to be one of the worst in the comp. they look ok with the ball but they are complete arse the other way, hence the ball cutting through their terrible back 6 so easily


WC missing NicNat for a good portion of the season, they are a different team without him. Their midfield is not deep, I think they will struggle a bit
Crows will be fine
Hawks will miss Mitchell bigtime, Jaeger can't be counted on and I'm not sure if Tom Mitchell is a number 1 midfielder. Their forwardline could keep them thereabouts though

You're right, he has a huge impact on the entire team but they are still top 8 without him. They proved that this year, even against worthy opposition like beating Adelaide at The Oval. Also have Vardy and Petrie on board.

Crows are a lock.

Anyone questioning Hawthorn needs to look at that forward line. After you stop laughing about Ty Vickery being there it is not to be taken lightly.

 

[The Dr]

You're right, he has a huge impact on the entire team but they are still top 8 without him. They proved that this year, even against worthy opposition like beating Adelaide at The Oval. Also have Vardy and Petrie on board.

Crows are a lock.

Anyone questioning Hawthorn needs to look at that forward line. After you stop laughing about Ty Vickery being there it is not to be taken lightly.

Hawks were seriously wobbly last year and struggled in a lot of key areas. Losing their top two mids from last year leaves them exposed in the midfield. Roughy is a big 'in' if he comes back at his best, but that's still a question mark.

Eagles are still probably a solid bet to make the eight but without Nic Nat (possibly the most influential player to a single team in the league) and Lycett also sidelined for a lot of the year, they are listless through the middle.

Crows again are more likely than not to make the eight but I can see them sliding. No depth in the midfield.

 

[Dory_77]

North to drop out, WC could be pushed out. If they can't win at home against teams around the same mark this year (e.g. scraping in against us last year) they'll drop. Midfield looks weak w/out a decent ruck though their defence and forward lines are solid. Hawthorn probably won't drop out completely, might fall back to 7th or 8th but wouldn't be too surprised if they fell further. Midfield has a lot of questions over it and hoping Roughy comes back 100% and Vickery stops being a spud to score their goals is pretty wishful thinking. Breust, Gunston and Rioli are handy but can't carry the forward line through the whole year again.
Geelong would be my smoky for a sudden fall out of the 8. Their ruck situation is pretty well rooted with the rule changes (though probably won't affect them too much as they've played off the opposition ruck the last couple of years anyway), their backline seems a bit thin and Hawkins is their only major threat up forward. Their midfield is pretty strong but still seems too reliant on Danger and Selwood to get big numbers and a couple of goals each to win.

On us I would be disappointed if we don't make finals. Yeah we're young and inexperienced but we've got plenty of talent on the list and across each line have the foundations to make the 8. There is going to be a lot of competition for spots in the 8 but we should finally piss off these stupid hoodoos and losing games to the likes of Carlton and the Essendon Reserves.

 

[R_Grunter]

Hawks were seriously wobbly last year and struggled in a lot of key areas.

They finished top 3...

but without Nic Nat they are listless through the middle.

They beat a very smart Adelaide outfit in Adelaide without him in the final round. They also have Vardy and Petrie now.

 

[The Dr]

They finished top 3...


They beat a very smart Adelaide outfit in Adelaide without him in the final round. They also have Vardy and Petrie now.

Yes, I do watch football and realise the Hawks finished top three. I also looked more deeply into their season rather than just their finishing position.

Petrie and Vardy? Really, that's part of your argument?